Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,091, William Goforth, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Goforth, William or Gofforth
P. 4,091
Rebecca
CONTENTS

Philadelphia County } S.S. State of Pennsylvania }
On this 28 th day of September 1836 Personally appeared before me the Subscriber an Alderman in & for Said city & county Rebecca Goforth a resident in the county of Philadelphia Pa. aged 89 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the lawful wife of widow of William Goforth who was a soldier a private in Captain William Harrisons company of militia belonging to Gloucester county New Jersey called continental soldiers and that her William Goforth her husband joined the said company about the 26 th December 1776. at Haddonfield in said county and that he continued in said company when it marched from Haddonfield to Philadelphia and continued to serve in the service of the U. States during the Revolutionary war for many months, and deponent further saith that she has continued the widow of William Goforth to the present time.
She further declares that she was married to the said William Goforth at Westminster Gloucester county N.J. by Samuel Spicer one of his Majesties magistrates of the Peace on the first day of June 1774 and that her husband the aforesaid William Goforth died on or about the 5 th day of April 1800 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to proof her unto annexed. and I certify that deponent is a useful and a citizen of Philadelphia.
Sworn & subscribed to before me the day & year above written
Rebecca G Goforth Mark
C. H. Wistman
On this 28 th day of September 1836 before me the Subscriber an Alderman in and for the city of Phila a came Rebecca Goforth of Philadelphia whom I certify is a respectable citizen of Philadelphia and who being duly affirmed according to law deposeth and saith that she well knows Rebecca Goforth to be the wife and widow of William Goforth who was a soldier in Captain Harrisons company of militia entered said company at New Iron Gloucester county

New Jersey and Said many months about the year 1777 during the Revolutionary war and that Rebecca Goforth has remained a widow Ever since the death of her husband William Goforth
Affirmed & Subscribed to before me J. Christman A.
Rebecca Clayton
Know all men by these presents that I Rebecca Goforth of Philadelphia have constituted and appointed and by these presents do constitute and appoint Daniel Palmer of No 9 Cherry Street in the city of Philadelphia for me and in my name my true and lawful attorney to apply and receive a pension certificate from the War Department the United States, and to act for me fully for that purpose
Sealed Signed & acknowledged in the presence of us Rebecca Goforth Mark
J. Christman
Wm Greenleaf
Philadelphia County S.
on the 21 st day of September 1836 before me the Subscriber an Alderman in and for the city of Philadelphia personally came Daniel Palmer the appointed attorney to me for and in the name of Rebecca Goforth a pension certificate from the War Department, doth on his oath declare that he has no interest in said pension money by any pledge mortgage sale assignment or transfer and that he does not know or believe that the same has been or disposed of to any person whatever.
Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 21 st day of September 1836
Daniel Palmer
J. Christman A.

By Samuel Spicer Esq r . One of his Majesties Justices of Peace of and for the County of Gloucester in the Township of New Jersey
I do hereby Certify that on the Day and date hereof William Gofforth, of Newtown Township Gloucester County and Rebecca Roberts of the same Township and County came before me and by Notice of a Licence from his Excellency William Frank- lin Esq r Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New Jersey were joined together in Holy bonds of Matrimony and was by me Pronounced Man and Wife. Given under my hand and Seal this first day of June in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventyfour
Samuel Spicer
On this 21 st day of September 1836 before me the Subscriber an Alderman in and for the City & County of Phil da came before me William Greenleaf, who being duly sworn Affirmed deposeth and saith that the above is a true Copy of the Marriage Certificate of Samuel Spicer Esq r and that the signature is verely and truly believed to be genuine
Affirmed & Subscribed to me Sept 21 1836
A. Christian A.
W m Greenleaf

State of New Jersey } Gloucester County } ss:
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of
Gloucester aforesaid, Isaac Armstrong, who alleging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, being duly affirmed according to law, in his solemn affirmation saith, that he resides at this time in the township of Waterford in the said County of Gloucester, and was seventy five years old last April. That this affiant served in the American Army, at different times during the war of the Revolution, about fourteen months, and now receives a pension for his said services from the Government of the United States. That this affiant was well acquainted with one William Goforth, whose widow is now about to apply for a pension for his services during the revolutionary war, as this affiant is informed and believes. That the said William Goforth is deceased as this affiant is informed and believes. That this affiant was well acquainted with the said William Goforth as well during the said war, as before, and after its close. That this affiant according to the best of his recollection believes the said William Goforth was his senior in years. That the said William Goforth resided during the Revolutionary war in the said County of Gloucester and as this affiant believes in the township of Newton. That the said William Goforth served with this affiant in a company of Militia belonging to Gloucester County aforesaid, commanded by Captain William Harrison. That both this affiant and the said William Goforth joined the said company, about the latter end of December A.D. Nineteen hundred and seventy five, and marched together in said company at Haddonfield in said County of Gloucester. That the said William Goforth was with his said company when it marched from Haddonfield to Philadelphia, where the arms and ammunition of the said company were received. That he continued, serving with his company, on the march to Somerset Court House, and during the stay of the company in East New Jersey. That the said company of Captain William Harrison remained in the neighborhood of Somerset Court House (Somerset County) and vicinity until the latter end of January A.D. Nineteen hundred and seventy seven, (1777) when having performed three months service they were marched home. That the said William Goforth continued and performed military duty with the said company during the whole of that time, and returned home with his company. Which this affiant on his way home with the said company, joined Captain Hyslop's company of Militia on its way to the Army at Somerset, and returned to the camp with said Captain Hyslop's company. That this affiant has no recollection of any other military service performed
one month only see next page

by the said William Goforth during the Revolutionary war, except the one month's service above mentioned - That he well knows that the said William Goforth served in his company a full month on the occasion above mentioned - That the said William Goforth might have performed service in the said Army at other times without this affiant knowing of it - or at the present day, this affiant may have forgotten such other services if any were performed by the said William Goforth -
Isaac Armstrong
Isaac Armstrong
Affirmed and subscribed this 13 th day of September A.D. 1836, at Camden New Jersey, before me -
Isaac Wilkins
I Isaac Wilkins, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that Isaac Armstrong, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit, is personally known to me, that I believe him to be a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit - Witness my hand this thirteenth day of September Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty six -
Isaac Wilkins
State of New Jersey } ss. Gloucester County }
I, Joseph Sailer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said County of Gloucester, do hereby certify, that Isaac Wilkins Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the twenty fifth day of November 1834 and will expire on the twenty fifth day of November 1839, and that his signature to the above written affidavit and certificate is genuine -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my said Office this Sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six -
Sailer, Clerk

By Samuel Spicer Esq. one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Gloucester in the Province of New-Jersey.
Do hereby certify that on the day of the date hereof William Gofforth of Newton Township Gloucester County and Rebecca Roberts of the same Township and County — came before me And by Virtue of a License from his Excellency William Franklin Esq. Captain General and Commander in chief in and over the Province of New-Jersey were joined together in the holy bands of Matrimony. And were by me pronounced Man and Wife. Given under my hand and seal the 4th day of June — in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Four Sam Spicer

Rebecca Goforth Pennsylvania
Suspended
let 29 Sep '36
S. Palmer, do,
7 Oct 1836
do, 29 Nov 1836,
do to H. M. K. Band, Dec 28
1836 let 9 Sep 37
Mrs L. Mayton
do to Mrs R. Clayton Feb 21. 1840.
4091

General Agency office Phila. Octo. 5 th 1836
Respected Sir
on showing the Poor old Woman Mrs. Rebecca Goforth 89 years that her claim was filed among the suspended cases she affixed much effort to think that it was not in her power among the living to obtain at the present time any further proof all that she can recollect who has any knowledge of the services of her husband James has a long time since been dead. She will recollect that her husband William Goforth served 3 years in the N. Jersey Military was drafted out time and once served as a substitute for Joseph Nichols in Captain Stokes company of N. J. military for 3 months and as near as she can recollect about the year 1776 or 1777 our James was after that but cannot recollect what company Joshua Gittings James Irvine and William Powell belonged to the same company but have a long time since been dead.
As the original certificate of the marriage being asked for in your answer to her application it is herewith inclosed the proof as given in my former letter is all that is in her power to obtain would the department allow her the smallest grade of a Pension it will be something in remembrance of the hard services of her husband of which in a great measure she shared his hardships. Should there be any reasonable discretion in her case it will be presented her with great pleasure through her attorney and your most humble servant
Daniel Palmer Atty for Rebecca Goforth
James L. Edwards Esq.

Feb. 1840 James L. Edwards 30 Commissioner of Pensions Will Washington City
50

Philadelphia February 18 th 1840
Sir
would you please send me a copy of the papers pertaining to the claim of Rebecca Gofforth for a pension. her husband William Gofforth who was a soldier in the revolutionay war. Mrs Gofforth first sent her claim in the year 1836 and has tried honestly and honourable to recover her just and lawful rights. till the close of her life & she died September 7 th 1838 in the 93 rd year of her age having two surviving daughters myself being one my object is to petition congress and of course I must have a copy of the papers to refer to should this request meet your approbation. Please write as soon as convenient.
in vain may monuments be erected and fourth of july orations delivered to commemorate the illustrious persons who lead to the Liberty and happiness our country now enjoys when the poor soldier or his widow is denied a just pension for want of volumes of unnecessary proof. the proof my mother has given appears clear as the noon day sun
that she was entitled to a pension. I intend having it fairly and fully laid before congress for the recovery of the pension.

due her when she died
I remain with respect the daughter of William and
Rebecca Gofforth
Rebecca Clayton

409/aw
P. O. _____
Rebecca Goforth
Service: wid. of William
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Nov 28.
To the Honorable The Secretary of War
pa 4 July 36 Ad. proof
Person Office Washington DC

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Philadelphia County
Micajah Clement being duly affirmed deposes and says that he is now in the sixty-sixth year of his age and was well acquainted with William Goforth, a soldier in the revolutionary war, whose residence was in Newtown township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Deponent does not absolutely know, but believes that the said William served under Captain John Stokes, who lived in the same neighbourhood, and served in the said war; and that the said William Goforth continued to serve in the said army until the end of the revolutionary war. And deponent further saith that he was at that time married, is since dead, and has left his widow, Rebecca Goforth, now residing in Vernon Street, in the County of Philadelphia. Deponent has positive knowledge of the actual service of the said William Goforth during a part of, and to the end of the Revolutionary War.
Micajah Clement
Affirmed and Subscribed the 1 st day of Nov. 1836 before
Hugh Stirling alderman
Cover

I certify that I have been long, and am well acquainted with Mr. Micajah Clement the within deponent, and that he is a credible witness
Wm. Morton
Pennsylvania Philadelphia County } ss.
I Robert Morris Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Do Certify that William S. Norton Esq. by whom the above Certificate was given and before whom the within affidavit was made and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing and now is an alderman in and for the County of Philadelphia duly commissioned and qualified to all whose acts as such full faith and Credit are in ought to be given as well in Court of judicature as thereout.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Philadelphia this 25 th day of November A.D. 1836.
Robert Morris
per Joseph S. Lennig Prothonotary

Philadelphia 26 Nov 1836
Sir
I herewith enclose to you an additional testimony to Establish the claim of Rebecca Goforth whose claim to a Pension is now among the Pended cases She is very old destitute and feeble and as I am the appointed attorney and should there be any favorable decision in her case by making to Reason to her through one with much obliged you most Sincerely reply to this will be very gratifying to the old Lady
Yours Sincerely
Daniel Palmer
Hon Secretary of war.

General Agency office 189 Cherry Street Philadelphia September 22 1836
Esteemed Sir
Having as you will perceive from the enclosed been appointed Attorney to apply and receive from the United States the war Department a Pension certificate for and in the name of Rebecca Goforth the very aged wife & widow of William Goforth one of the Sons of our country during the Revolutionary war and struggle for the freedom we all now enjoy
I herewith enclose you as I trust sufficient vouchers to substantiate her claims you are therefore requested to forward her certificate of Pensions if allowed. to
your most humble Servant
D. Palmer Esq.
Honble the Secretary of war Washington D.C.
W.B. Should the Department require a certificate Authenticating Peter Christman to be an Alderman and legally authorized to administer oaths the Department is assured that such certificate will be found attached to affidavits in the case of many Franklins applying for a Pension where Papers were Plaid on file a few days since her husband being late a Master in the Magistrate in Gates company of artillery late was
Respectfully
D. Palmer Esq.
W.B. Should any certificate document or proof be wanting, be pleased to point it out